Fabulous Falcon Meadow and the reasons you love it

Fabulous FALCON MEADOW

Laura Myatt, from Falcon Meadow Community Trust, looks at the Top 5 reasons why YOU love Bungay’s green haven.

Falcon Meadow is one of Bungay’s most beautiful natural assets, bought by and for the people of the town and surrounding areas in 2015. The huge number of people who enjoy the meadow each week, as well as the dedicated supporters who regularly give time and money to maintain it, are testament to the special place it occupies in the hearts of many. When the nights were at their longest and the news at (perhaps) its bleakest, we ran a survey to get people thinking positively about what they liked best about Falcon Meadow. Here are the top 5... is yours in there?

1. Nature

The importance of nature, and the pleasure you get from it, featured time and time again in your answers. For some, it was the joy of feeling surrounded by green, for others; seeing the wildflowers along the riverbank, and birds and animals at quieter times of the day. Thank you to the person who shared their magical experiences of otter and barn owl watching at dawn – what an incredible way to start the day!

2. Tranquility

The growing body of evidence linking nature and wellbeing is compelling, and it seems that Falcon Meadow is the perfect case study. At a time when our mental health is more fragile, and more important than ever, it was heartening to read people’s descriptions of the solace and peace the meadow provides in their daily routine. One person described it as “a haven on my doorstep!” We hope that the meadow continues to provide more people with its own special therapy in the months to come.

3. It links up the town

Many of you described how you use the meadow as a ‘linking route’ to walk into or around the town. You told us how you build a walk over the meadow into your day, as a more enjoyable way of getting to the shops or work. As daily commutes go, surely it’s got to be one of the best in the country!

4. A community asset

One of the most enthusiastic set of answers, and summed up perfectly with one comment: “What I like best about Falcon Meadow is…the fact it’s there.” We estimate that almost everyone in Bungay has contributed to the meadow at some point – whether buying a duck, a cake or helping to clear nettles – and because of this people don’t simply take it for granted. You value the meadow because you have done your bit to keep it. Thank you to everyone who has been involved so far.

5. Exercise

My daily walk…my daily run…a wild swim…my Sunday afternoon fishing trip…the fifth thing you like most about the meadow is that it provides a stunning outdoor location for exercise – with far greater benefits than simply a trot around the block. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey, and took the time to celebrate the meadow. If you’d like to share with us what makes the meadow so special for you, please do get in touch on info@falconmeadow.org.uk or comment on our Facebook page: Falcon Meadow.

Look out for winners of the Falcon Meadow Art Competition in the next issue of Village People!